Promoting the Full Inclusion of Women in the Church and Society

Every State Needs a Law against Torture

Your State Needs This Law

1. A person is guilty of torture if he intentionally causes severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, to be inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.

2. Torture includes solitary confinement in any correctional facility beyond seven days, except when there is the threat of imminent physical harm to the prisoner or others, but any such exception must be approved by a justice of the Superior Court after a hearing at which the prisoner is present.

3. Torture is a Class C crime.

4. A person who tortures another also commits a civil violation. The court shall adjudge a civil fine of not less than $25,000 for the first violation, none of which may be suspended, and a civil fine of not less than $50,000 for a 2nd or subsequent violation, none of which may be suspended. The court also may order a person adjudicated as having violated the laws against torture to pay the costs of the medical treatment and care for the person tortured.

For information contact George at: 415 464 7744 or george@katrinasdream.org